Saturday, March 28, 2015

The Value of Heroism in Transformers Series by Michael Bay

By Mohammad Syafikurrahman


A country with a thousand heroes, Indonesia has been attached with that image since before independence period. Just mention, Pattimura, Tjut njak dien, Pangeran Diponogor, Imam Bonjol and the other heroes have sacrificed themselves to create the independent, united, justice and prosperous nation that built upon Pancasila. They fought againt colonizer with no fear, no hesitation and a noble purpose that is for the betterment of humanity in this country.
And now, it has been almost 69 years since Independence Day the history of hero of independence is like a fairy tale because behind the frenzy of politics and the rising corruption, the value of heroism in the society is extinguish. The willingness to sacrifice for larger importance, submission, bravery and wisdom has been reflected in every element of young generation in this country. Panjaitan (online, www.analisadaily.com) argues that Indonesia is a nation without heroism; this is reflected with crucial problem of this nation that has not been resolved, that is practice of corruption. The corruption is resulted by the weakness of law in this country. This problem infects almost every element of government, well from the village head, regency, province, legislative assembly and even cabinet minister.  When people expect an effort to fight against the corruption, KPK emerged as a Hero. But, as a side that is struggle for good, there is always effort to make it weak. Ironically, there is an effort from legislative assembly to disperse KPK. 
In the quest to resolve those problems, the role of education would be questioned here, moral education becomes important matter for character building of young generation. The value of heroism must be taught to the young generation in order to build the spirit of patriotism, willingness to sacrifice for larger importance, submission, bravery and wisdom. Viewing this problem, the researcher needs to give a model of heroism that is interesting to be learned. This model is represented through film.
Everyone can name at least one film that affected him/her on a deep level. The point is that film is one of the most important forms of mass communication and the themes, archetypes and characters are interpreted by millions of people each and every weekend. Film is such an important form of mass communication because it reaches the millions of movie-goers every weekend who interpret the themes, archetypes, and characters portrayed. The depictions in film have a connection to our society and culture.
Thus, if the researcher view from the terms of phenomenal growth, it is possible that the content on each display will affect the thinking, attitudes, and actions to the people in the daily life application. It means that a character played in a film can build a very strong ideology. Film is a medium of cultural dissemination that growing in everywhere. The film industry has colluded with the television, cinema, and internet and embedded ideology, many reflecting the culture and ideology in every message tucked in the content, so it will take an impact on the lifestyle in society.
The researcher selects the script of Transformers series by Michael Bay as the subject of the research; Its purpose is to understand how heroes are portrayed in war films as well. Transformers series is selected because it plays an important matter of heroism. Besides that, it is very famous film in Indonesia and affects the children hobby and act. So, the study will be easy to be understood by the reader.
This study aims to give the portrait of heroism and what lesson learned that can be learned from a Transformers series by Michael Bay. Through the script of film, the value of heroism is analyzed and what the readers can learn from it. As everyone has known, Heroism is the noble value that resided in the heart of a good or heroic person, this value is a commitment to fight or defend anything that is trusted and loved without expecting a personal award. Through the value of heroism in Transformers series, this study are expected can give contribution in building the character of young generation in Indonesia and make the heroism building for the reader and fans of the Transformers in Indonesia.
The Concept of Heroism
The basic concept of hero has been emerged since good and evil are take their own role on earth, but it is not only about an endless war between light and darkness or war against imperialism. The portrayal of Heroism always consider itself with protecting, bravery, and sacrifice for betterment of humanity. As said by Debata (2013, p. 368), A man can be a hero because of unusual bravery, nobility of action, moral and intellectual qualities. In line with Debata, Bernstein (2002, p. 1) argues that the heroes are the great men and women whose achievements provide inspiration for millions come with an assortment of specific characteristics. So, Heroism is about a noble purpose and the willingness to accept the consequences of fighting for that purpose.
The concept of "heroism," is primarily a moral concept and requires a rational philosophical system, including the principle of mind-body integration, as it proper base. According to Bernstein (2002, p. 6) a hero is an individual of elevated moral stature and superior ability who pursues his goals indefatigably in the face of powerful antagonist(s). Because of his unbreached devotion to the good, no matter the opposition, a hero attains spiritual grandeur, even in he fails to achieve practical victory. Notice then the four components of heroism: moral greatness, ability or prowess, action in the face of opposition, and triumph in at least a spiritual, if not a physical, form.
Heroes show people a way to overcome life challenges through the use of a variety of character strengths and virtues. Their stories also show people that everyone cannot accomplish great things unless we open ourselves to being helped by others.
The Characteristics of hero
The premary question that arise is what makes certain people take heroic actions in the face of great danger? When they think about heroism, several recent examples might spring to mind such as: Peter Parker as Spider Man, Clark kent as Super Man or may be Si Pitung from Indonesia.
As mentioned on the title, the characteristics of heroism is the main focus in this study. The researcher feels that is necessary to discuss characteristics of heroism that is related to the some qualities of hero.
If it is though deeply, the heroes are not born, they are self-made. there are some of the most fundamental qualities that become fondation of heroism, it is considered as the qualities of the hero itself which involve several moral values that make up the heroic act occured. This values is attached as  characteristics of hero.
There are several values that fundamented to the heroism, they are the virtues that lies in the soul of heroes and lead them to the noble action as hero (http://www.personalitytutor.com), those are:
1.   Courage
The first and the foremost quality of a hero is his courage. A hero always overcomes his fears and confronts any challenge head on. Even the faintest tinge of fear doesn’t linger in the heart of a hero. The heroes have a courage that is unshaken despite anything that comes in their path of their focused success. They are determined to fight challenges with resolute courageousness.
2.   Virtuosity
Virtuosity is the key aspect of a hero’s character. A hero is never foolishly audacious. He always is judicious and well skilled to cite and cease the opportunities, which present themselves on the way towards his destination. A hero is laden with all the essential faculties, which are instrumental to accomplish what he seeks.
3.   Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a quality that stands unique from all the other virtues which makes a hero noble in his deeds. He or she is always quite willing to cast off the predilections and personal comforts whenever they become indispensable for a higher cause or for the welfare of others.
4.   Determination
For a hero the word “Impossible” always decomposes to yield “I am possible.” A hero is unflinching in his or her determination and believes in his ability without the whiff of dubiety.
5.   Focus
Being focused is also one of the most prominent qualities of a hero. It seems as if all the heroes that have walked on the surface of the earth have been born with definite motives. All their life they hardly lose focus of what they want to achieve or establish. For instance, it appears that Prophet Mohammed SAW was born with the sole purpose of driving people from the Arabian Jahiliyah to get better life and to preach the goodness, humanity, and Islam as the only one saviour of human life. Until he was passed away, the last word that he said is “ Oh My people, my people”. He is seems like caring alot about the fate of his people
6.   Compassion
A true hero is always empathetic, benevolent and shows a great deal of compassion and tenderness to those ailing or in distress. He or she keeps aside thoughts those are oriented to the self and embraces an attitude that serves others.
7.   Perseverance
This quality is what that makes the hero special. Even if they encounter failure on their way, they are determined to get over it and fight till they achieve success. They do not give up simply rather they are focused to withstand all the consequences that they may encounter in their path.
8.   Selfishless
The heroes are selflessly dedicated to their task and will thus focus their actions towards its achievement. They whole-heartedly dedicate themselves to the altruism which emphasize the goodness and the betterment of humanity .
9.   Honesty
In all the endeavors that a hero takes up, honesty forms the base of all his efforts. This honesty earns him the respect of others and helps him leading his followers to the desired goal.
10.    Loyalty
A hero is considered to possess fierce loyalties in the sense that he is faithful to whatever tasks they take up. His commitment to a particular cause leads him way beyond others citing an example for others to follow him.
11.    Conviction
Heroes have a strong conviction as they have strong beliefs regarding a particular situation. It is a set of unshakable thoughts or beliefs, which cannot be altered by any chance.
12.    Fortitude
Fortitude can be defined as a habit that is involved in encountering a deed that is dangerous with a bright spirit that is adopted with passive courage.
13.    Responsibility
Whatever be the type of responsibility entailed on them, they take it up with utmost sincerity and take it to its logical conclusion.
14.    Wisdom
Wisdom is the most desired quality, which a leader must possess. A fool can lead a horde of beasts but not human beings set on a definite purpose. Only a wise and astute person can do so. Whatever a hero maybe, a warrior or a preacher wisdom is always an attribute that all of them possess.
The value of heroism above shows that heroism is not biologically born or lies in any body, it is self-made. Above mentioned are some of the most fundamental qualities, which a hero invariably possesses. The heroes do possess some of the virtues which have been explained above.
For, the banality of heroism concept, Aldridge (2007, p. 31) sug­gests that everyone has a potential heroes wait­ing for a moment in life to perform a heroic deed.  Aldrige (2007, p. 32) believes that heroism is made up of at least four independent dimensions.
1.   Heroism involves some type of quest, which may range from the preserva­tion of life to the preserva­tion of an ideal;
2.   Heroism must have some form of actual or anticipated sacrifice or risk. This can be either some form of physical peril or a profound social sacrifice. The physical risks that firefighters take in the line of duty are clearly heroic in nature. Social sacrifices are more subtle;
3.   The heroic act can either be pas­sive or active. people often think of heroics as a valiant activity, something that is clearly observable. But some forms of heroism involve passive resistance or an unwilling­ness to be moved.
4.   Heroism can be a sudden, one time act, or something that persists over a longer period of time. This could mean that heroism may be an almost instantaneous reaction to a situation

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